Sunlounger – Sunny Tales (Chill Version)
Another peaceful, relaxing tune . . . (Featured image by James L. Patterson)
Art of Wondering
One man's attempt to lead an enriched life in a mundane world.
Reality
You’ll find I periodically state, “Don’t deny reality.” What does that mean and why is it important? What is Reality? (basic definition) As it relates to the way I use it when I say, “Don’t deny reality,” I mean it from the simple perspective of Knowledge Adventuring: If you have facts and/or a preponderance of evidence staring you in the face, don’t delude yourself by denying its existence. Don’t ignore it. Don’t default to Cognitive …
Cognitive Dissonance
Another critical barrier to “Proper Thinking” and intellectual integrity is the theory of Cognitive Dissonance. It’s important to understand that this cognitive weakness can be the reason for us to default to other barriers to accurate thinking such as Confirmation Bias and Rationalization. As part of our Knowledge Adventuring it will always serve us well to be aware of these thinking biases and adapt our attitude and approach to the pursuit of enlightenment and truth. …
Rationalization
Another personal impediment to “Proper Thinking” is Rationalization. If we want to improve our intellectual integrity and thinking prowess we need to be on guard from making rationalizations. What is it? I like Neel Burton’s definition: The use of feeble but seemingly plausible arguments either to justify something that is difficult to accept (sour grapes) or to make it seem ‘not so bad after all’ (sweet lemons). We do something not so smart (a bad …
Confirmation Bias
This post, my inaugural entry to deal with one of the many specifics of “Proper Thinking,” will be devoted to Confirmation Bias. With regards to the How, Why and What of thinking, this falls into How – honestly acknowledging a barrier to proper thinking in order to adapt and refine our adventuring path towards the pursuit of Truth. The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or …
IIO – Rapture (Soulside Remix)
Another nice chill-out tune . . . . (Featured image by James L. Patterson)
Under – Under (Morgan Page Remix)
What a smooth chill-out tune! (Featured image by James L. Patterson)
Thomas Bergersen – Empire of Angels
What a gorgeous composition! (Featured Image by James L. Patterson)
Clannad – I Will Find You
Such a gorgeous song. I only wished they would have somehow woven the entire thing into the movie The Last of the Mohicans. It still was moving, as is the movie. (Featured image by Anne-marie Ridderhof from Pixabay)
Evening – by Paul Howard Manship
Evening Paul Howard Manship Bronze, 1938 Brookgreen Gardens (All imaged in this post by the Author: James L. Patterson)
Ecstasy – by Gleb Derujinsky
Absolutely beautiful! Ecstasy by Gleb Derujinsky Bronze, 1954 Brookgreen Gardens (All images in this post by the Author: JamesL. Patterson)
Conjure One – Beyond Being
A bit haunting and mysterious. . . . (Featured image by James L. Patterson)
JES – Like A Waterfall
Gorgeous tune . . . . . JES – Like a Waterfall (Flipside Ambient Remix) (Featured image by James L. Patterson)
Diana – by Gleb W. Derujinsky
From a recent visit to Brookgreen Gardens: Diana Gleb W. Derujinsky Bronze, c. 1925 (All images in this post by the Author: James L. Patterson)
James Todd – Quiet Beauty
The beauty of music . . . . I love to shuffle the following groups on Pandora: Delerium Blue Stone Sleepthief Conjure One I get the most beautiful array of music to listen to in the car to and from work. I also like to jump to other stations as well: Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Yanni, Claude Debussy, Sara McLaclan. They’re all satiating to my soul . . . . whether it resonates to me …
Proper Thinking – Realizing I Don’t Think Correctly
Poor Thinking Most people cruise through life with nary a thought about thought. And, really, why bother thinking about how well, or poorly, you think? What difference does it make? That depends, really. Do you care if others think you’re stupid? Do YOU care if you look stupid? More importantly, do you care if you ARE stupid? Or the converse . . . do you worry people might think you’re too smart? Will they treat …
Proper Thinking – Realizing I Don’t Think Correctly Read More »
What is “Enriched Living?”
I wanted to call this category “Renaissance Living” but didn’t want to appear presumptuous or portray something I’m not. Ideally my attitude over the last 25 years has been to try and mimic the adventurous spirit of discovery that my grandmother, Elsie Lacy, embraced in her life. For me, growing up as a child, my grandmother was a beacon of getting out of her comfort zone and experiencing as much about life and culture as …
Why Is “Liberty & Empowerment” Important?
I have an innate passion and drive about individualism, personal responsibility and freedom. In my ideal world each person would be as self-reliant as possible, the government would stay out of our lives and allow individuals the opportunity for ultimate growth. Any significant achievements of the human race aren’t made by wards of the state sucking from the teet of big government. It’s done with the passion & persistence of independent individuals with vision. I …
What Does “Creating & Building” Include?
For use on this website it specifically refers to those activities for which I have a direct interest in learning about or (more importantly) actively participating. These are the activities that I involve myself which give me the satisfaction of actually producing something of value and/or beauty. There are a large number of hobbies and activities we as members of the human race can find fulfillment. I’ll only be addressing those for which I actually …
What Encompasses “Beauty & Aesthetics?”
This category could hold SO much! For me it denotes those things on this earth and in my life that evoke a deep appreciation and attraction; a soulful resonance within me. It could range from . . . . as simple as making a detailed and appreciative observance of a blooming flower, tiny insect, attractive landscape garden, or as soul-touching as a beautiful piece of music, a particularly attractive work of art, a beautiful person, …
What is Knowledge Adventuring?
If I had to identify the most critical element of the shaping of my life and persona, it has to be my passion for the pursuit of truth/accuracy/reality. At first I thought this was something that came about in my thirties. However, over the years in doing various exercises to identify my true mission and purpose in life, I realize I’ve always been hugely concerned with identifying, understanding and conveying what was truthful and accurate …